Importing a bus from NZ

[solwarra]

G'day, I am thinking of importing a 1969 NFM Bedford Roadmaster into Australia from Auckland. It is converted to a motorhome (housebus) but needs some restoration work.
Has anyone imported a bus of this vintage from NZ before or knows of any pitfalls to watch out for in the process?
Cheers Jim

[Simes]

Quarantine would probably be a big one (then again MAF are pretty anal as it is), might be worth hopping over the ditch, stripping out what you don't want internally, giving that a clean and having the chassis steam cleaned (close to where it goes on the ship)


For all the forms and info......
http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/roads/ ... index.aspx

goodluck

[dropbear68]

The Kiwis have some nice Bedford buses over there, like the 52 models u see here at times but these were made right into the late 70s there, unique looking machine

[mrobsessed]

The last Australian SB was bodied in 1981. A good Bedford? Don't know about that. Spend 45 hours a week in one doing stop-start work.

If you want a good motorhome candidate with a lot less trouble, PM me.

[solwarra]

Thanks for the replys so far
I already own the bus and couldn't find anything similar of the same vintage with the round back in Australia even with shipping it is cheaper than what was available here.
This one has the seperate luggage area in the back and the look that I was after but thanks for the offer mrobsessed.
As Dropbear68 adptly put it it is a unique looking machine.
Good tip about Quarantine simes and I have heard that it can be the biggest hurdle. What is (MAF)?
Has anyone seen any of these NZ SB or NFM buses in Australia ?

[LB608]

Members of the New Zealand Motorhome & Caravan Assocation (Head office)Takanini take there Motorhomes to & from Australia regularly, for rallys so if you contact them they should be able help you.

[dropbear68]

I looked at many Kiwi Beddys, some were good some were only good for scrap but if your like me the buses with the round backs are just sweet, hopefully one day ill get the flxible clipper or an ansair, ah what it is to dream.

[boronia]

Good tip about Quarantine simes and I have heard that it can be the biggest hurdle.

If it comes in from NZ they will be looking for sheep XXX in the tyre grooves.

[solwarra]

I looked at many Kiwi Beddys, some were good some were only good for scrap but if your like me the buses with the round backs are just sweet, hopefully one day ill get the flxible clipper or an ansair, ah what it is to dream.

Same Tastes, I was looking at a Flxible from the states but outa my budget. Have you seen the Ansair on ebay?

[solwarra]

Members of the New Zealand Motorhome & Caravan Assocation (Head office)Takanini take there Motorhomes to & from Australia regularly, for rallys so if you contact them they should be able help you.

Great contact, thanks for that!

[Simes]

What is (MAF)?

NZ's Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry - they look after quarantine matters there

[CCCC]

Plenty of companies out there who will give you a free quote.

I used this mob last time I imported a boat from the USA.
http://www.tauruslogistics.com.au/

They will detail what needs to be done, like cleaning,fumigation,degassing etc.
And the many charges you will be hit with from all the government agencies with
their hand out.

[dropbear68]

I knew of an old Ansair being used as a shed locally, but i think it succumbed to the fires here, I love the round ended buses and would happily swap mine for a roundie Beddy, i can remember my uncle in the 70s was a hippie and had a band he had an old Beddy roundie and far out was she a psycadelic machine.

[solwarra]

Haha probably took a trip in that bus or similar, where do I find the photo's of your Austin?

[dropbear68]

just look in my various posts in this discussion theres quiet a few of the old girl

[dropbear68]

There is a nice blue 52 roundie Beddy locally, dont see it onthe roads at all but drive past it now and again for a drool

[dominodc122]

Drop me a line - I'm in NZ and will keep an eye out for you!

[solwarra]

Thanks Chris, are you near Auckland?

[dominodc122]

I'm 200k away in New Plymouth but know plenty of people up there - have you looked at "trademe" here in NZ (trademe.co.nz) under cars,bikes&boats/other vehicles/buses - there is away,s vehicles for sale on there - that's where I picked up my Domino Tourmaster - if you find something, let me know and I will see if I can get someone to appraise it for you.

Cheers

Chris

[solwarra]

I actually own a 1969 Bedford NFM roadmaster thats in a storage yard in Swanson. It has rust issues around the windscreen and I have been quoted 5 to 10 thousand to fix it? I was going to transplant the windscreen surround of a SB. Do you know any good fabricators around auckland?
Having a hassle getting it into Australia as the conversion was done after 89 and the import application gets allot more complicated. The only way around this is to strip out the inside!
All the elements seem to be stacking up against me with this one so I am thinking of selling and looking for a pre 89 bedford that had any conversions done before 89.
It's a pity as I really like this bus and they are hard to find with the seperate luggage area in the rear.

[dominodc122]

Leave it with me and I will send out a request and get back to you!

Regards

Chris

[dominodc122]

From an aquaintance in Auckland who owns buses / coaches:-


"The best in Auckalnd is Auckland Coachbuilders in Mangere Ph: 09 2750258 who specialize in buses. Do a very good job. There is also Bryan Berry Bus and Coach Panelbeaters in Penrose
Ph: 09 5253242"

Regards

Chris

[solwarra]

Well guys unfortunatly that bus has been put into the too hard basket and sold.
Back to the search in Australia and looking for something classic to convert into a mobile home.
Bummer really as NZ is full of excellent old busses but unless it has been unchanged since before 1989 the import paperwork is impossible, for my head anyway.
Thanks to all who offered advise on this one, Chris I will be in NZ for a week in June and keep an eye out for your parts.
Cheers jim

[dominodc122]

Cheers Jim - (Good luck with the hunt for a good bus )